Understanding Pandemics: History and Future Possibilities

A pandemic is defined as a disease that has the ability to outbreak and spread globally. A pandemic is determined by how a particular disease spreads rather than how many lives it has claimed. A future pandemic can easily occur if and when a mutation of a new influenza A virus emerges. A pandemic of this type is easily possible to spread quickly and globally due to that when a new strand of the virus emerges, it will be highly unlikely that the human population will have a built up immunity to it.

In 1918 to 1919 a flu pandemic broke out known as the Spanish flu. A majority of the people who caught this illness passed on quickly. Others passed on from complications caused by bacteria. An estimated twenty to forty percent of the world’s population contracted the illness.

From 1957 to 1958 a new

flu virus arrived in the Far East. Thus, immunity to this strain was particularly rare. The summer of the 1957 the virus arrived in the United States. Causing a series of small outbreaks. By October 1957 the infection rates peaked. By December the majority of it was all over. Then from January to February of the next year a second wave hit. From 1968 to 1969 in Hong Kong a new strain of a flu virus emerges. The deaths from this new virus peaking in the December of 1968 to January of 1969.
In 2009 to 2010 a new virus called H1N1 also known as the swine flu; spread quickly across the United States. In April the CDC produces a vaccine and the U.S. government declares a public health emergency. By June a total of 74 countries was affected by the pandemic. The H1N1 vaccine was very limited in the beginning. Allowing the people who were at the highest risk of complications received the vaccine first. November of 2009 there were 48 states had reported cases; 61 million vaccine doses were available to the public. In total, of 80 million people were vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.
In 1976 a pandemic flu threat of the swine flu emerged at Fort Dix, New Jersey. There were concerns that this virus was similar to the Spanish flu. Later on researchers found out that the virus would not have been as deadly as the Spanish flu.
In 1997 and 1999 an outbreak of the avian flu in Hong Kong appeared. This strain of avian flu was different from the rest. Due to that it was more easily passed from chickens to humans. Although normally the virus is spread among chickens and pigs.
They symptoms of the influenza virus include having a fever over 100 degree F.

Having aching muscles in the back, arms and legs. A person may experience chills and sweats, headaches, and a dry persistent cough. Along with having fatigue and a sore throat.

The treatment for the influenza virus is to get plenty of bedrest and to drink plenty of fluids. On occasion a physician may prescribe an antiviral medication like Tamiflu or Relenza; but only in the first few days that symptoms arrive. The prognosis for the influenza virus is that most people will recover fully from the influenza virus.

Once a new virus emerges, it is most likely that those who are at the highest risk of developing the disease will receive the vaccine first. The fourth challenge is to create a secondary site that can be used as a medical facility. The fifth and final challenge has to do with the disrupted economy and society. Events like traveling bans and school and business closings.

The influenza virus is most commonly spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. The virus can also be spread by touching an object that was recently contaminated. Then accidently touching their mouth or

nose.
The seasonal flu peak period is in January or February, depending on the weather for the particular winter. A vaccine is available for the annual flu season. The seasonal flu’s death rate in the United States has ranged from 3,000 deaths per season to about 49,000 deaths per season. It causes a minor impact on the general public. Some schools may choose to close and ill people are encouraged to stay home. Overall the seasonal impact on domestic and the world economy is manageable.
The pandemic flu is a rare occurrence even though it has occurred three times in the 20th century. A vaccine for this type of flu would most likely not be available at the beginning of the pandemic. The number of deaths could be exceptionally high. The symptoms are most likely to be more severe than the traditional flu symptoms. It would have a major impact of the general public. There would be a widespread travel restriction. Along with school and business closings. Overall, there would be a severe impact on domestic and the world economy.
There are five major challenges that occur during a flu pandemic. The first one is rapid worldwide spreading. The second is an overloaded health care system. Thus, nations will have a hard time providing care to a number of people who become ill. The death rates were high due to the strength of the virus and the vulnerability of an affected population at the time. Following history, previous pandemics have had the ability to spread globally, usually in waves. The third challenge is the possibility of having inadequate medical supplies.
The monitoring of a flu pandemic around the world helps enable a quick detection of any unusual flu outbreaks. The isolation of a possible pandemic of viruses. The immediate notification of health authorities globally.
A future influenza pandemic can easily occur if a new flu virus emerges. Due to that it is unlikely that the human population will have a built up immunity to a new strain of the virus. A new flu virus mutilation occurs every few years. Thus, the CDC and health care professionals provide a great effort in their attempts to develop a vaccine to help fight against future influenza pandemics.
“The United States is not currently experiencing a flu pandemic. If a pandemic occurs, the federal government will work to identify the cause and create a vaccine. Flu.gov will provide updates on the steps the federal government is taking to address the pandemic” (Flu).
How the CDC and Who investigate the reports of ongoing influenza viruses are by having such cases reported to them. Then they make an effort to track the activity of such strain of the virus. “CDC’s pandemic preparedness efforts include ongoing surveillance of human and animal influenza viruses, risk assessments of influenza viruses with pandemic potential, and the development and improvement of preparedness tools that can aid public health practitioners in the event of an influenza pandemic”(CDC).